Cricket

Somerset's Sean Dickson and James Rew produced a stunning partnership to guide their team to a six-wicket victory over Surrey in the T20 Blast Finals Day semi-final. The duo's 144-run stand from 98 balls propelled Somerset to a comfortable chase of Surrey's 153/9.Surrey, missing four first-choice players due to England call-ups, struggled to find fluency after being inserted. Lewis Gregory's 3/15 and Josh Davey's 3/34 restricted Surrey's total.Somerset's chase got off to a disastrous start as Dan Worrall and Tom Curran removed the top three batters within the first 13 balls. However, Dickson and Rew turned the tide with their record-breaking partnership.Dickson, who had been Somerset's top scorer in both their low-scoring victories at Finals Day in 2023, once again rose to the occasion. He struck 78 off 57 balls, including six fours and three sixes. Rew, playing his first game of the season, contributed an unbeaten 62 off 44 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes.Surrey's batting effort had been stuttering, with only Dominic Sibley (48) offering significant resistance. Gregory's three wickets and Davey's three-for helped Somerset restrict Surrey to a below-par total.Somerset's victory sets up a tantalizing final against Lancashire, who defeated Hampshire in the other semi-final. The defending champions will be aiming to become the first team to retain the T20 Blast title.

Somerset's Lewis Goldsworthy led the charge with a magnificent 95 as they secured a convincing five-wicket victory over Worcestershire in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at Taunton. The Rapids were dismissed for 263 in 47.3 overs, with Tom Taylor's 73 providing a glimmer of hope. Ben Green's 3 for 58 was instrumental in restricting Worcestershire's batting.In response, Somerset chased down the target with 5.3 overs to spare, thanks to Goldsworthy's 108-ball knock, which included nine fours and a six. James Rew contributed a valuable 70, while Andy Umeed chipped in with 44. Fateh Singh emerged as the pick of the Worcestershire bowlers, claiming career-best List A figures of 4 for 52.Worcestershire's openers, Ed Pollock and Gareth Roderick, made a promising start, but their dismissals left the team struggling at 68 for 2. Jake Libby and Rob Jones failed to capitalize on the opportunity, while Rehaan Edavalath and Ethan Brookes also departed cheaply.Singh's six off Goldsworthy provided a brief respite, but he was soon dismissed by Archie Vaughan. Taylor and Tom Hinley launched a spirited counterattack, but their efforts were cut short by Green and Aldridge. Tommy Sturgess' run-out and Taylor's dismissal left Worcestershire all out for 263.Somerset's reply began disastrously with George Thomas' first-ball dismissal. However, Goldsworthy and Umeed steadied the ship, adding 96 for the second wicket. Umeed's departure brought Rew to the crease, who played a blistering knock, reaching his half-century off just 43 balls.Rew and Goldsworthy put on a century partnership before Singh dismissed both batsmen in quick succession. Sean Dickson also fell cheaply, but Vaughan's unbeaten 31 off 24 balls ensured Somerset's comfortable victory.

Somerset's Andy Umeed continued his impressive form in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, guiding his team to a three-wicket victory over Kent Spitfires at Taunton. Umeed's unbeaten 114 off 121 balls proved crucial as Somerset chased down a target of 268 with 3.3 overs to spare.Kent had posted a competitive total of 267 all out in 49 overs, with Joey Evison and Grant Stewart scoring half-centuries. However, Somerset's left-arm spinner Lewis Goldsworthy claimed career-best List A figures of 4 for 44, while seamer Alfie Ogborne took 3 for 58.Somerset's chase got off to a shaky start, losing George Thomas early. However, Umeed and James Rew steadied the innings with a 133-run partnership. Rew reached his half-century off 47 balls, while Umeed followed suit off 62 deliveries.Rew was eventually dismissed for 71, but Umeed continued to anchor the innings. He shared a 40-run stand with Sean Dickson before the latter fell for 23. Josh Thomas and Kasey Aldridge also departed cheaply, but Leach and Umeed kept Somerset in the hunt.Umeed reached his century with a six off Charlie Stobo, and Somerset eventually reached their target with 3.3 overs remaining. The victory gives Somerset a strong start to their Group A campaign, while Kent will be disappointed to have let slip a winning position.

Somerset's batting prowess was on full display as they amassed a formidable 440 for seven on the opening day of their Vitality County Championship First Division clash against Kent at Taunton. Aggressive centuries from Tom Banton and James Rew propelled the hosts to a commanding position.Banton, known for his exploits in limited-overs cricket, showcased his red-ball credentials with a career-best 133. His 174-ball knock was adorned with 19 fours and two sixes. Rew, who impressed last season, continued his fine form with a fluent 114 off 145 deliveries, including 12 fours and three sixes.The pair forged a formidable 205-run partnership for the fifth wicket, dominating the Kent bowlers for over 42 overs. Earlier, Tom Lammonby contributed a solid 69 as Somerset's openers made a promising start.Kent's seamers struggled to make an impact on a batting-friendly surface at the Cooper Associates County Ground. The visitors' only success before tea came when Lammonby was dismissed for 54, attempting to pull a boundary off Grant Stewart.Rew and Banton took control after lunch, adding 132 runs for the fourth wicket. Rew reached his half-century off just 61 balls, while Banton brought up his third fifty of the summer. The duo continued to punish the Kent attack, with Banton reaching his century off 150 balls.Rew followed suit, reaching his hundred with a boundary off Stewart. However, both batsmen fell shortly after, with Banton caught behind and Rew lbw to Joey Evison. Craig Overton contributed a quickfire 23, while Somerset skipper Lewis Gregory remained unbeaten on 26 at stumps.Somerset's impressive batting display has put them in a strong position heading into day two. Kent will need to find a way to break through the hosts' resilient batting lineup if they are to have any chance of getting back into the contest.